Changes to England Boxing rules regarding amateur/professional boxing

After AIBA changed the rules on amateur and professional boxers last year, England Boxing has now agreed to allow professional boxers to return to the sport.

At the board meeting, which took place on 7 October 2017, the rule change was agreed and will come into action from 1 January 2018.

This means that an athlete that has had a professional boxing license of any kind can return to the amateur ranks as long as they meet four criteria.

The boxer’s experience must not exceed six bouts, they must give up their professional license, a report is provided to England Boxing which details any medical issues and includes the medical history of the athlete and the boxer is medically fit. Any boxer returning from professional boxing will be classed as Elite and not Development.

To see the full rule change and criteria please see below:

Boxers who hold or who have held a professional boxing license of any kind may return to England Boxing from 1 Jan 2018 should the following criteria be met;

a. They can guarantee experience that does not exceed six bouts.

b. The professional license is relinquished.

c. A report from the National Federation that issued the license is provided to inform England Boxing of any medical issues and the complete experience history of the boxer.

d. The boxer is medically fit to box this is to be determined by both organisations.

For the avoidance of doubt this applies across all aspects of the sport.